MANILA – Taiwan conveyed its interest to boost economic exchanges with the Philippines as the government clarifies its travel policy for Filipino officials visiting the island for trade-related purposes.
In a statement on Tuesday, Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung described this as a “pragmatic step” on the part of Manila, saying it would allow Taiwan to “deepen substantive cooperation” with the Philippines.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan remains the Philippines’ eighth largest export market, ninth largest trading partner, and 10th largest source of imports.
The Philippines and Taiwan have no diplomatic relations but commercial, economic, cultural and other unofficial contacts continue through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin signed Memorandum Circular (MC) 82 on April 15, which further prescribed the guidelines for travel limitations to Taiwan first imposed under Executive Order 313 in 1989.
The MC made public on Monday was issued to “maximize opportunities for the development and expansion of the Philippines’ priority areas of investments.”
Under MC 82, Malacañang stated that Philippine government officials visiting Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes are allowed, provided they use their “ordinary passports and without using their official titles.”
They are required to inform, coordinate and submit a report about their visit to the MECO and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The MC also states that Philippine government officials and agencies may receive delegations from Taiwan for economic, trade and investment purposes, provided MECO is notified at least five days in advance.
It maintained that no agreements, memoranda of understanding, exchange of notes or similar documents can be signed “with any Taiwanese organization or agency” pending clearance from the DFA.
It reiterated that travel restrictions apply strictly to the President, Vice President, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of National Defense. (PNA)